Worker Sustains Minor Injuries After Fall into Palisades Reactor Cavity During Fuel Reloading

COVERT TOWNSHIP, Michigan – An individual at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant sustained minor injuries and underwent decontamination after falling into the reactor cavity on October 21, 2025, at approximately 9:30 AM EDT. The incident occurred while the plant, recently transitioned back to operational status, was in the process of reloading nuclear fuel. The worker, who ingested some cavity water, was later sent off-site for medical attention at 4:32 PM EDT, according to reports.

Radiation protection personnel decontaminated the individual, detecting 300 counts per minute in their hair. Nick Culp, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Communications for Holtec International, the plant's owner, confirmed that the contractor was wearing all required personal protective equipment, including a life vest, and was promptly assisted from the water. Culp stated that the worker sustained minor injuries and has since returned to work, with radiological assessments expected to confirm exposure "well below regulatory and administrative dose limits."

The Palisades plant achieved a historic milestone on August 25, 2025, becoming the first nuclear facility in U.S. history to transition from decommissioning back to operational status under the oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This transition authorized the plant to receive nuclear fuel and proceed with restart preparations. The plant had received 68 new nuclear fuel assemblies prior to the incident, marking a significant step towards resuming power generation.

Holtec International is currently conducting a review into "human performance factors" that may have contributed to the fall. Despite the incident, the NRC reported no impact on the health and safety of the public or other plant personnel. The plant continues its final inspections and reassembly efforts, aiming to resume electricity generation by the end of 2025.